CNE team implants first MRI-safe defibrillator in state

PAWTUCKET – A defibrillator safe for use with magnetic resonance imaging scans has been implanted for the first time in Rhode Island.

A team staffed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and affiliated with Care New England performed the implantation. Until now, patients with implanted defibrillators could not be given MRI scans safely.

“Patients with ICDs are often older adults with other serious medical conditions that require an MRI for diagnosis,” said Dr. Bruce Koplan, director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services for Care New England, who performed the procedure. “We’re grateful to have this new technology that helps treat cardiac arrest and still enables patients to access MRIs.”

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